“Words” for W3 65

46 Replies

Words

By their adjustment,
I change their drift,
but when I alter their lilt,
I am as transformed by them
as they are by me.

I am inebriated by words.
I reel in their power
as they call my bluff.

They reflect the changes in me
I would otherwise not know.
I can float in their buoyant comfort
or shoot the rapids of emotion.

Words are my river and my raft,
my cushion and that daredevil conveyance
into a new stream of thought

from which I never return
to the exact same world
I left from.

 

Why Do We Write?

We write to share that part of us that might not otherwise be shared. The page is like a Fibber Magee and Molly closet where we store all those leftover parts of ourselves. Open the page and everything comes spilling out: organized, disorganized, jovial, sad, rational or irrational. Everything gets crammed into the page. We may not be lionized for it. Our words may be stolen and presented as someone else’s, but the important thing is to write them. Words are like a pressure valve, freeing pent-up emotions. They furnish a release that is somehow part of the solution to the problems they describe. 

For the W3 65 Prompt: Inspiration  (What inspires you to write poetry?) To read other poems written for this prompt, go HERE.

This entry was posted in Poem and tagged , , on by .

About lifelessons

My blog, which started out to be about overcoming grief, quickly grew into a blog about celebrating life. I post daily: poems, photographs, essays or stories. I've lived in countries all around the globe but have finally come to rest in Mexico, where I've lived since 2001. My books may be found on Amazon in Kindle and print format, my art in local Ajijic galleries. Hope to see you at my blog.

46 thoughts on ““Words” for W3 65”

  1. ben Alexander

    I can float in their buoyant comfort
    or shoot the rapids of emotion.

    Words are my river and my raft…
    into a new stream of thought

    This is gorgeous, relatable-to-me imagery, Judy! ❤

    How beautiful.

    ~David

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
            1. lifelessons Post author

              I was interested in the group you work for and researched to see if you had any dealings with the Beta Israel group in Ethiopia. I was surprised to read that “Falasha” which was what they were always called in Ethiopia, was a pejorative which meant “Exile.” or “Outsider.” I guess we need to be careful to examine the words we use to describe people as I had no idea. I still have some of their pottery which I brought home with me.

              Liked by 1 person

            2. ben Alexander

              The Jewish Agency for Israel has been involved with the immigration of Jews from all around the world to Israel since before the State of Israel was established, which includes Ethiopian Jews, even very recently (this year).

              As for the word “Falasha” – I am not sure if it’s pejorative… I’m checking with some friends now – you’ve made me curious.

              Like

    1. lifelessons Post author

      Thanks for seizing the reins and contacting me, Julie. Please keep me up on your progress toward your goals. I have a deadline and house guests but if you don’t hear from me by Sunday, please give me another push?

      Like

      Reply ↓
  8. okcForgottenMan

    I just love this one. I liked it on first reading, was intrigued by it on second reading, enthralled by it on third reading. Not going to extrapolate what I’ll feel on fourth reading!

    Like

    Reply ↓
  11. Sam Voelker

    BEAUTIFULLY DONE JUDY~!

    And Yes, though I still insist on doing it “MY WAY”. Because I am first pleasing myself, but if others get something out of it, as they do with yours, then I get a big smile on my face~! , Even if not always doing a proper syllable count, rhyme or nice rhythm.

    I do admit that you and Val are great influences on me, and I have always liked your work, it seems to just flow “like a river”. I learn a lot from you two.

    As to prose, the one person who influences me most may be: Sharron Burnett, because reading her post is like reading a good book with her structure and continuity so precise. However I know the area that she writes about so well, and this may be part of why.

    Now if my two sons would only hit “like” once, I will know that they may appreciate what I have written primarily for them because, though they hear me, I am not sure they will remember.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.